EFSA safety analysis of the Royce procedure Starlinger iV+ technology-based universal process for recycling post-consumer PET into food contact materials

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the recycling process Royce Universal (EU register number RECYC276), which uses the Starlinger iV+ technology. 

The input is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes, with no more than 5% PET from non-food consumer applications. The drying and crystallisation, extrusion and crystallisation and SSP steps are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. 

The Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not of safety concern when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs, including drinking water. The final articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave and conventional ovens.